BRITISH INSECTS 



are deposited in the nostrils of the sheep, and cause 

 much suffering to the poor inoffensive animal. Great 

 irritation is caused, and the symptom of attack is con- 

 tinuous sneezing. There are still more parasites upon 

 mammals and birds in the group of dipterous insects 

 known as the Hippohoscidce . It is only possible to give 

 the names of four species by way of illustration, and 



Fig. 38, Biting Midge. (Greatly Enlarged.) 



these are the Forest Fly {Hippohosca equina) found on 

 horses ; Lipoptena cervi on deer ; Sheep Ked (Melo- 

 phagiis ovinus) on sheep, and Stenopteryx hirmidinis 

 which attaches itself to the gentle House Martin that 

 warbles so pleasantly when on its nest under the eaves. 

 Midges, especially towards sundown and near water, 

 are a great nuisance. Small they may be, but capable, 

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